The Hindu : PWD to open additional points to distribute sand

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 15, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

PWD to open additional points to distribute sand

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Oct. 14. The PWD and Revenue Minister, O. Panneerselvam, has said at least half a dozen additional points near Chennai would be opened by PWD to distribute construction sand to meet the city's daily requirements.

The Minister gave this assurance to members of the Chennai Lorry Urimaiyalargal Nala Sangam (lorry owners welfare association) when they called on him today.

The association president, R. Munirathinam, said lorry owners welcomed the Government decision to use the PWD to quarry and distribute construction sand. "We want the Chief Minister to consider some of our pleas. We want at least 15 depots opened at Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts to meet Chennai's daily requirement of 1,500 truck loads, each of 200 cubic ft or 10 tonnes of sand. Also, the depots should be open from 6 a.m to 6 p.m, even on working days to meet the deadline of construction industry. This would also entail a revenue of Rs. 300 crores for the Government".

"The Minister said within the next few days, the opening of more depots would be announced", Mr. Munirathinam said. Meanwhile, builders said the depots in Thiruvallur district were able to fend for only 100 or 120 trucks a day. So, another 100 trucks had to wait near the depot for another day. This added to the fuel cost and driver's daily allowance. While the sand cost was Rs.1,000 at the depot, the ultimate buyer had to spend Rs.4,000 for each truck-load.

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